Grace Unfolding : Psychotherapy in the Spirit of the Tao-te Ching

by Greg Johanson, Ron Kurtz

Applies the religious and philosophical principles of Lao Tzu's ancient Chinese classic, the "Tao-Te Ching", to the practice of contemporary psychotherapy. Aimed at both clients and psychotherapists, the book is intended to help them understand more fully their roles and responsibilities.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Buddhism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Taoism, Mental Health

139 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1991

Reviews

[Ian Felton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who studies Dao De Jing, practices taiji, Chinese, and psychotherapy, this was a wonderful book to tie all of these together with my own approach to therapy. The authors come from a Hakomi tradition of psychotherapy. The focus on internal awareness, not forcing anything, paying attention to the body and the ripples in the water will likely be familiar for those with a background in that style of therapy. Sprinkled throughout are quotes directly from DDJ as well as Steven Mitchell's translation. As a result, it will feel very accessible to those with a background in relational psychoanalytic approaches. I was sad when I saw only a couple of chapters were left to read in this book.

For therapists with very directive approaches, I imagine they would laugh at this book.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took well over a year to read as I was writing reflections along the way. Unless you have truly reached your most grounded and at the same time elevated state, do not try to read this straight through. Take your time to read the simple lessons and to really absorb them, hopefully applying them to your life or at least to appreciate the potential of these. I am laughing even as I type this, for I found myself caught up in new books, school work, and compositions, and I would put the book and accompanying journal away in a "safe" about three or four times, only to forget about it. Returning to it slowly, though, I enjoyed returning to its lessons. I am far from the ultimate state of grace, but I'm a bit closer.

Direct Recommendation: Don't stay too long in your head as you read this. Some of its simple lessons could be debated or rationalized, but why? I tend to not recommend specific books to friends, and I am intentionally choosing to not do this here. I also have a mark of "3" for this based on one of the lessons within. If you read this, perhaps we can talk more.

[Heiki Eesmaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief meditations on doing psychotherapy -- of a specific sort, exploratory, experiential, unstructured (specifically Ron Kurtz is the founder of Hakomi, one of the body-oriented psychotherapies that really looks mostly mindfulness). To be clear, many people do hate this and it might even be counterindicated (well since its not evidence based we don't know the indications really). Its age is shown by its endorsement and presentation of Chögyam Trungpa as an authority -- the rinpoche was a stellar figure but toxic and maker of a toxic cult to which at least some of these ideas contributed.

Still overall I believe this book is helpful as kind of professional-philosophical background if one does some degree of experiential work.

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet, short book that builds on the foundational Tao Te Ching, this exploration does a wonderful job of conveying those principles to fit into therapy and how they can be applicable for a healthy mindset and foundation in relating in a client-therapist dynamic. I found this a wonderful meditation on what it means to explore the self in a context far greater than the individual.

[Arvind · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not in depth as much as would have ideally liked it to be. Good for shamans and healers to glance through

[Maggie Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is changing my life

[Tony]

can't read online for some reason

[Zack Senay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed this

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a step ahead of its time (1991). I’ll be reading this once a year.

[Sid Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, inspirational, book that challenges us to live in a way that is quite different from our cultural norm. Although aimed at therapists and clients, it speaks to anyone. Johansen and Kurtz weave the teachings of Taoism with the practice of therapy that is reminiscent of the follow-the-client approach of Rogers, but with more depth. The power of this simple, eloquent book is difficult to describe; it needs to be experienced. This is in keeping with what the book teaches; that learning comes not from hearing, but from awareness and experiencing. This book whetted my appetite for more information on Hakomi Therapy, and I was saddened to find that Ron Kurtz, the founder of this school of therapy, died in early 2011. Still, we have Greg Johansen and the other writings of Kurtz to learn more from.

[chaz2b · Rating 4 out of 5]

- 090111 finished up, with spot re-reads as needed. good enough analysis book, teaching really nothing new, just singing in time with tao te ching http://j.mp/njv6k7 as a backdrop. if you've studied analysis and read the way, there may be little to no profit in the read of this book, though maybe refreshing.
- 071911 working through it. no where a tough read by any means though mental consumption time would indicate otherwise
- 060911 just bought to replace finishing up current two books reading. reviews before purchase, on avg, was 4+ so we'll start out with 5 stars.
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[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The metaphoric connection with the Tao is laboured, but the content and the approach to therapy are marvellous.

There is a lot of really useful information about the form and nature of therapy, delivered through an overtly Taoist perspective.

Very interesting.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO thought-provoking. Written simply, beautifully and yet so powerfully.

[Anat]

A very nourishing book. A reminder to what is really matter.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found the advice to be vague and impractical. It reads more like poetry than psychotherapy. The Tao is, however, a lovely piece of Eastern philosophy, and nicely translated in this volume.

[Kaya Prpic · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful ... beautiful ... beautiful ... and in the true spirit of The Tao ... the mystery is held gracefully in the many folds of emptiness ...